Regiments of the Malta Garrison 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment

The 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot

Introduction

The Prince of Wales's plumes, coronet and motto Ich Dien (I Serve); below, the regimental number, 77th, above a crown and the cypher G, of George The Duke of Cambridge, which is interlaced and reversed, all within a belt bearing the inscription Middlesex Regt; a laurel wreath bears the battle honours across the bottom of which is a scroll inscribed Albuhera, which was granted to the 57th for its service at Albuhera (16th May 1811) during the Peninsular War. (Officer's Mess Floriana)

The 77th Foot was raised in 1787 as the 77th Regiment of Foot. It went to India soon after its formation where it remained for 19 years.

In 1807 the 77th returned to England and was granted the county association for East Middlesex, becoming the 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment.

In 1876 the 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment incorporated The Duke of Cambridge's Own into its title.

On 1 July 1881, the 77th (East Middlesex) (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Regiment of Foot merged with the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment to form the Second Battalion of The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).

21 AugJane Pirrie born on 21 August, daughter of CSgt Robert Pirrie and Ellen was privately baptised by Chaplain to the Forces John Thomas Howe Le Mesurier. She was publicly received into the church on 21 January 1842.

The 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot

24 Mar 1854 901 men of the 77th arrived from Liverpool. The regiment was placed under canvas at St Clement's parade ground.

9 Apr The 77th embarked on the Indus for Turkey and the Crimea.

2 June Burial of Pte Robert Jamison aged 25 years.

Nov 1854 The regiment had 24 officers and 750 men serving in the Crimea. Bowel complaints prevailed. Their surgeon ascribed it to the want of proper clothing, severe duty and exposure to the cold and wet in the trenches, lack of fuel to cook their food, the men frequently eating their salt pork raw, want of hospital huts, fuel and soap, the men being filthy.

Ady J., A brief description of the island of Malta showing some of its productions and peculiarities of its inhabitants by Joseph Ady, Paymaster-Sgt 77th Regiment and school-master at Malta for 37 years.

TNA:WO 156/122; List of gravestones at the Military and Civil Cemetery 1801–1865 and the Quarantine Bastion Cemetery 1819–1867 compiled by the Rev D B L Foster Assistant Chaplain General Western Mediterranean in May 1939.